Slide fastener chain



5 Sheets-Sheet 1 m N E V m ATTORNEY N 1970 IKUO TAKAMATSU SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Filed July 23, 1968 {mum IKUO TAKAMATSU SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 23, 1968 FlnZ ATTORNEY Nov. 17,1970 0 TAKAMATSU 3,540,090

' SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Filed July 23, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet :s

INVENT OR ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1970 lKUO TAKAMA'rsu SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Filed July 23, 1968 5. Sheets-Sheet 4 H rb INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nov. 17, 1970 IKUO TAKAMATSU 3,540,090

' SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Filed July 25, 1968 5 Sheets-Sheet s IN VENTOR ATTORNEY 3,540,090 SLIDE FASTENER CHAIN Ikuo Takamatsu, Flushing, N.Y., assignor to Yoshida Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo, Japan Filed July 23, 1968, Ser. No. 746,952 Int. Cl. A44f 19/02, 19/42 US. Cl. 24-205 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A slide fastener chain consisting of a pair of carrier tapes carrying rows of intermeshed elements, each tape including a blank-space section at regularly spaced-apart intervals and devoid of fastener elements. Apparatus is disclosed to produce this fastener chain in a continuous cycle of operation.

This invention relates to a slide fastener chain, and it has for its object to provide a slide fastener chain of the type including a row of intermeshed fastener elements on each of two carrier tapes, blank tape sections at predetermined spaced-apart intervals for inserting a slider therethrough, and sewing thread sections devoid of fastener elements and serving to guide the slider into position on the fastener, and a process of and apparatus for producing such fastener chain in a continuous cycle of operation.

There have hitherto been proposed slide fastener chains having their elements alone cut and removed at suitable intervals from the stitchings that hold them to the carrier tapes, or having both elements and stitch sections removed from the tapes at such spaced-apart intervals as are desired for the individual fasteners to be manufactured.

These fastener chains render it diifcult to mount the slider on the fastener on account of the humps of residual stitching threads or debris of the severed elements which tend to prohibit the entry of the slider.

This diffculty is eliminated in the fastener chain produced in accordance with the invention.

Briefly stated, the fastener chain of the invention comprises a pair of carrier tapes each carrying a row of interlocking elements, each tape including a blank space section at predetermined spaced-apart intervals and contiguous to that stitch portion which is devoid of said elements and which continues linearly from the row of sewing threads that secure the elements to the tape.

The object and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a fastener chain embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view partially in section of the apparatus employed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation partially in section of the apparatus in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken on the IVIV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating on larger scale a pair of tape openers for splitting apart the opposed tape edges;

FIGS. 7 through 13, inclusive, are utilized to explain the operation of the apparatus and the sequence of pro ducing a fastener chain according to the invention;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a stitch-cutter shown as in cutting position;

ine

United States Patent 0 w 3,540,090 Patented Nov. 17, 1970 FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrating on larger scale an element-cutter with element chips just severed and removed thereby;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line VIIII-VIIII of FIG. 3, illustrating on larger scale a mechanism for holding down the fastener stringers during each cycle of operation;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are views similar to FIG. 4, illustrating on larger scale a pair of element scrapers in operation;

FIGS. 12a-12c are plan views of a fastener chain, utilized to explain the sequence in which it is processed according to the invention;

and FIG. 13 is an elevational view corresponding in position to FIG. 11.

Reference first to FIG. 1 illustrates a typical example of fastener chain processed and finished in accordance with the invention, wherein the reference numeral :10 generally designates a continuous fastener chain consisting of a pair of carrier tapes 11 and 12 of substantially endless length carrying rows of intermeshed fastener elements 13 and 14-. The continuous chain of these intermeshed elements is disrupted and terminated at regularly spaced-apart intervals to leave a blank-space section A devoid of fastener elements. This blank-space section of each tape consists centrally of blank tape portions 15, 16 and element-free stitch portions 17, 18 contiguous thereto and continuing linearly from the rows of sewing threads S, S which secure the elements to the edges of the tapes 11, 12. The blank-space section A is formed at predetermined spaced-apart intervals on the fastener chain and bisected at a mid-point by line X-Y along which the fastener chain is to be cut ultimately into individual slide fastener segments of uniform length L.

The blank-space section A featuring the invention is formed by the apparatus which comprises two cooperative units basically illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 5. The first or overhead unit essentially comprises a tool bracket 19 connected to and actuated by a suitable driving source (not illustrated) so as to make up-and-down movement under properly timed sequential control coordinated with the operations of associated operating parts in the second or base unit hereafter described. The tool bracket 19 is provided with a pair of downwardly projecting element cutters 20 and 21 spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length of the blank-space section A of the fastener chain '10, said cutters being secured in place by means of bolts 22. Each element cutter has a blade so sized and configured as to fit in between the opposed stitch rows S and S and to cut and remove the coupling portions of two adjacent intermeshed elements as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 12a.

Designated at 23 and 24 are a pair of stitch-cutters secured by bolts 25 to the tool bracket 19 and situated symmetrically between the pair of element-cutters 20 and 21. The stitch-cutters 23 and 24 are spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the length of the blank stitchless tape portions 15, 16 across the cutting line X-Y, and have their bladed tips terminated at an elevation slightly above the tips of the element-cutters 20, 21. The stitchcutters are adapted, as the name implies, to cut the upper stitches that have sewn the fastener elements to the tape fabric in the manner illustrated in FIG. 7, and they have cutting edges wide enough to cut across the upper stitch portions of the stitch rows at the locations indicated by d in FIG. 12a.

There is provided a vertically movable hold-down rod 26 in between the stitch-cutters and resiliently held by a compression spring 27. The bottom face 28 of this holddown member is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending recesses 29 and 30 for receiving thereinto the stitch rows S, S when the fastener elements are held down by the rod 26 and removed by a pair of elementscrapers hereafter described. These element-scrapers designated at 31 and 32 are located across the hold-down rod 26 and pivotally connected by pins 33 and 34 to the tool bracket 19. They have inwardly bent blades 35 and 36 secured thereto by bolts 37, 38 and opposed to each other with their tip ends nearly in a horizontal plane, said blades being as wide as the hold-down rod 26. The element-scrapers 31, 32 have their upper end portions 39, 40 normally urged by springs 41, 42 against the lower end portions of cam devices 43, 44 vertically movably supported by the tool bracket 19. In this position, the scraper blades 35 and 36 are separated just wide enough to pose astride over and clear of the opposing intermeshed element rows 13, 14. The earns 43, 44 have their respective slopes 45, 46 which engage rounded upper end portions 39, 40 of the scrapers and bring the scraper blades inwardly closer together against tension in the springs 41, 42 when the cams move down and wedge into and between the walls of the tool bracket and the respective upper portions of the scrapers 31, 32. u

The second or base unit of the apparatus of the invention is situated below and in the corresponding position to the overhead unit above described, and it comprises a stationary machine base 47 having a centrally projecting longitudinal guide-path 48 for fastener chain and two parallel grooves 49, 50 extending longitudinal along the sides of the guide-path 48 to full length of the base 47, a pair of tape grippers 51, 52 mounted on the sides of the base 47 and vertically movable relative to the latter, said grippers having longitudinal hook-like edges 53 and 54 for insertion in the grooves 49 and 50, respectively, and end faces 55, 56 opposed to each other across the guidepath 48 and normally defining therewith a channel serving as a guide for interengaged element rows 13, 14.

The tape grippers 51, 52 are recessed as at R in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3 to permit the element scrappers 31, 32 to pass therethrough to rake the elements off. The longitudinal guidepath 48 is provided with shoulders 57, 58 at the corresponding location to the recessed sections R of the tape grippers. These shoulders 57, 58 are so sloped as to fit flat with the bladed tip ends of the scrapers 31, 32 as seen in FIG. 10. The guide-path 48 is also recessed at two points each coincidental with the working position of each element-cutter, as seen in FIG. 5, where there are disposed a pair of tape openers 59, 60 (59, 60') resiliently supported by springs 61, 62, so as to move under pressure along inclined slots 63, 64 formed inside the base 47. The tape openers 59, 60 have their tip ends 65, 66 tapered and protruded above the guide-path 48 so as to thrust into and between the opposed edges of the tapes 11 and 12 when the latter are brought into work position on the guide-path 48. Designated at 67 and 68 are a pair of stationary block members integral with the base 47 and serving as abutments for the tape openers 59, 60. These members have their respective tip ends tapered oif to form cutting edges 69, 70 to coact with the corresponding element-cutters 20, 21 to shear off the fastener elements. An aperture 71 is formed between and defined by the block members 67, 68 for the disposal therethrough of sheared segments of the fastener elements.

Since the tapered tips 65, 66 of the tape openers are normally urged by springs 61, 62 to pose up above the guide path 48, they already come in between the opposed tape edges as the fastener chain is brought into position for initiating the space-forming or gapping operation of the apparatus. The tape openers 59, 60 move gradually apart down the guide slots 63, 64 against tension in the springs 61, 62 as their tip ends 65, 66 are forced by descending element-cutters 20, 21. This causes the opposed tape edges to split apart wide enough to allow the element cutters to sever the coupling head portions of two adjacent elements in cooperation With the coacting cutting edges 69, 70 of the block members 67, 68 without impairing the tape fabric.

The apparatus thus constructed may be operated in the manner and sequence which follows with reference to the drawings.

At the beginning of each cycle of blank-space forming or gapping operation, the tape grippers 51, 52 are held in position with their end faces 55, 56 at the level of the guide-path 48 in the base 47. In this position, the end faces 55, 56 and the guide-path 48 define a guide channel along and over which interengaged element rows 13, 14 are introduced and aligned in position.

In the first phase of the cycle, the fastener chain 10 is moved over the base 47 until it is brought to a stop at a predetermined point. This chain movement is intermittent and controlled to time with each cycle of operation of the apparatus. Such control mechanism is well known and hence, will require no further explanaiton.

A second phase begins with descending of the tool bracket 19, with which the element cutters 20, 21 move down and force the fastener elements down against the tapered tips 65, 66 of the tape openers 59, 60 whereupon the latter are retracted against tension in the springs 61, 62, causing the opposed tape edges to split apart.

A third phase follows in which the tool bracket moves further down and the element cutters 20, 21 punch through the coupling head portions of two adjacent intermeshed elements in cooperation of the cutting edges 69, 70, such punched segments being thrown down the aperture 71, as seen in FIGS. 8 and 12. Simultaneous with this, the stitch-cutters 23, 24 cut across the upper portions of the sewing threads securing the fastener elements to the tapes in the manner shown in FIG. 7.

A fourth phase then takes place with descending of the tape grippers 51, 52. With this descending, the tapes are held down until they are caught between the hook-like edges 53, 54 of the grippers and the parallel grooves 49, 50, as schematically shown in FIG. 12b. This is followed by the fifth phase of the cycle in which the earns 43, 44, move down and wedge into and between the walls of the tool bracket and the element-scrapers 31, 32, causing the scraper blades to come closer toward each other until they intrude into and between the element rows 13, 14 and that tape portion which has been gripped in place, at which time the scraper blades 35, 36 cut the lower stitch portions of the stitchings S, S. By this time, the holddown rod 26 has descended as far down as it lands on the stitch rows S, S demarcated between two points at which their upper stitches have already been cut in the third phase of the cycle. The rows of stitchings of this section are received into the bottom recesses 29, 30 of the hold-down rod 26, and the fastener elements at this area of the tape are scooped and pinched firmly in between the hold-down face of the rod and the upper faces of the scraper blades that have been closed.

In the sixth phase of the cycle, the tool bracket 19 is lifted with the element-scrapers and hold-down rod ascending therewith and carrying with them the elements and stitches that have been sheared off in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 13. Thus, by the cooperation of the element-scrapers 31, 32 and hold down rod 26, sheared segments of the fastener chain are released at the two spaced-apart points that have been punched off by the element-cutters 20, 21 and unravel themselves from the sewing thread rows S, S as seen in FIG. 13, leaving behind a blank-space section A consisting of blank tape portions 15, 16 and element-free stitch portions 17, 18 on each carrier tape. Subsequently, the scraper blades open apart and take the position shown in FIG. 4 thereby releasing the element and stitch segments for removal by a suitable suction device of known type.

The cycle ends with a seventh phase in which the tape grippers 51, 52 rise to release the fastener chain and halt at the original elevation where their end faces 55, 56

again form with the guide-path 48 a guide channel for interengaged element rows of the fastener chain. This completes one cycle of gapping operation, followed by the first phaSe in which the fastener chain is transported a predetermined distance L to come into the next Work position.

Having thus described the invention, it will be understood that the blank-space section A of the carrier tape may be formed substantially without leaving any residualdebris on the surface of the fastener chain which would otherwise considerably retard the speed of production.

What is claimed is:

1. A slide fastener chain comprising a pair of opposed carrier tapes each carrying a row of intermeshed fastener elements, and a row of sewing threads securing the elements to the tape, each of said tapes including a blankspace section at predetermined spaced-apart intervals, said section consisting centrally of a blank tape portion and symmetrically disposed element-free stitch portions contiguous thereto and continuing linearly from the row of sewing threads.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 

